England vs India 2018: Gautam Gambhir Hails India for Trent Bridge Triumph

Overlooked India opener Gautam Gambhir has lavished praise on the Indian team after they beat England by 203 runs at Trent Bridge to make the scoreline look 1-2 in favour of the hosts.

Gambhir lauded the team for showing tough mental character to come back after going down 0-2 in the five-match Test series.

“Brilliant performance by Team India in the 3^rd Test especially after being 0-2 down. It shows the character of the entire team as well. I think it was an overall performance. Batsmen put runs on the board and then bowlers completed. Especially Hardik Pandya in the 1^st innings and then obviously Virat Kohli was instrumental in getting India those runs in both the innings,” Gautam Gambhir said.

However, Jasprit Bumrah finished it off with his five-for in the second innings, and Gautam Gambhir didn’t take a while to appreciate it.

“I think it was a complete performance. The batsmen, bowlers and fielders completed each other very well. India can take a lot of positives to the next Test match. I think England were totally outplayed. It showed there was so much character especially after the heavy defeat at Lord’s. It shows how much toughness you have.”

Gautam Gambhir said India would take a lot of positives into the next Test,

“So I am sure India will take a lot of positives into the next test match. I feel the Test series is very much alive and running. India would be very proud of the bowling attack. It looks like a complete bowling attack. Especially after Jasprit Bumrah came into the playing XI. We have got three quality pacers, and then Hardik Pandya is the all-rounder. All in all, India should be a happier side going into the next Test,” Gautam Gambhir added.

It was a thoroughly professional performance by Team India in all three departments of the game. For the first time in the series, they batted well, and it was the main reason behind their comprehensive victory. The bowlers were very consistent and were doing the job. However, the batsmen were not getting the runs which never allowed the bowlers to go for the kill.

For the first time, India made more than 300 runs, and it was enough to set a foundation for a big win. They batted well in both the innings and ensured they set a huge target of 521 runs to England. Virat Kohli was instrumental in getting India those runs. He missed his 23^rd ton by three runs in the first innings but got completed it in the following essay.

Hardik Pandya was the pick of the bowlers in the first innings. He bowled full and got the ball to swing. It just took him six overs to bag his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

In the 2^nd innings, it was Jasprit Bumrah who turned the match in India’s favour with the 2^nd new ball after Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler had defied the Indian bowlers for more than four hours. He bagged a five-wicket haul, as England were eventually bowled out for 311 runs.